Bird has learned to fly high once again

Female peregrine chick recovered from broken wing.

Female peregrine chick recovered from broken wing.

July 25, 2006|SUE LOWE Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- The peregrine falcon chick that injured a wing in June is back flying around downtown. Carole Riewe, a retired naturalist and raptor rehabilitator, initially believed the female might have to be released elsewhere. The bird spent some time in Riewe's care and had been moved on to a falconer. But after allowing her to fly for eight days, he declared her ready to be released, Riewe said. The female's brothers are still downtown with their parents, Guinevere and Zephyr. Riewe said the female chick was placed on the roof of a building, where one of her brothers was sitting early Sunday. The released chick and every other falcon in sight promptly took off. "She's a pretty bird," Riewe said. "She is also a big bird. She favors her mother." Guinevere is a large bird, even for a female falcon. Female falcons are larger than males. Only the parents were visible downtown Sunday afternoon. But Riewe said the chicks are all old enough to wander around some on their own. Guinevere and Zephyr have lived in a nest box high on the Tower Building since 2003. They hatched three chicks this year. Staff writer Sue Lowe: slowe@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6557